Sanitary soda-cup holder and dispenser



Nov. 2 1926. 1,605,611

P. T. POTTS SANITARY SODA CUP HOLDER AND DISPENSER Filed Feb. 28. 1921 Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES New OFFICE.

rerun '1. Forms, on CHICAGO, rumors, Assmnon ro THE VORTEX MFG. 00., A con.- rona'rron on ILLINOIS.

SANITARY SODA-CUP HOLDER AND DISPENSER.

Application .filed February 28, 1921.

This invention relates to improvements in dispensers and holders for sanitary soda cups particularly of the shape and construction shown in Letters Patent No. 1,413360, granted April 18, 1922, to David F. Gurtin, for sanitary paper cups, but which obviously may be used with similar cups or receptacles and also for other objects.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a combined holder and dispenser for cups or' the like which shall be clea11,'dustpro-of and sanitary and Which may be readily manipulated by the fountain attendant or dispenser of sodas or other beverages usually served in such cups.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a neat appearing storage device for such cups or receptacles which is adapted to be placed in shops or other public places such as soda fountains and in such positions that the cups or containers may be conveniently accessible to the attendant without detracting from the neat and order- 1y appearance of the establishment.

. Another object of the invention is the provision of such a holder and dispenser for soda cups or the like which is especially adapted'for use with paper or other flexible nested cups or containers and is arranged to prevent any contact of the hands of the attendant with the interior of said cups.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a holder and dispenser for soda cups which, after having been opened and a. cup withdrawn therefrom, will be automatically returned to closed po' sition, thereby insuring the clean and sanitary condition of the cups therein at all times, as there will be no possibility of its being left open and leaving the cups therein exposed'to dirt or other foreign material.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and specification.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings :f

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved sanitary soda cup holder and dispenser.

Serial No. 448,325.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same showing it. in open position and with a stack of cups therein.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 33 of Figure 2 with the device in closed position.

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 4L4L of Figure Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-:5 of Figure 1.

As shown on the drawings: Y

The reference numeral 10 indicates the base of the holder or dispenser which may be made of wood, metal or any other suitable material. Fixed to the base 10, which is preferably of a circular shape, is a cylinder 12 having its front portion cut away so as to permit the ready withdrawal of the cups. This cylinder 12 is of any convenient height and is preferably of such size that it is adapted to retain .quite a number of cups in position therein as shown in Fig ure 2. Fixed to the inner side of the lower portion of the cylinder 12 is a base plate 14 upon which is mounted a frusto-conical support 16 adapted to hold a stack of cups 18 in position in the dispenser without any danger of its toppling over. A pin 20 is fixed to the central portion of the base plate 14 and extends down into the base proper 10 of the apparatus. Rotatably mounted upon the pin 20 is a gear wheel 22 the teeth of which are adapted to' co-act with a rack 24 slidably mounted. in the base of the holder and provided with a button or knob 26 by means of which it may be manipulated. Fixed to the gear 22 by any suitable means and pivoted about the pin 20 is an outward ly extending segment or arm 28 the end of which is attached to or integral with a. cylinder 30 which corresponds to but is slightly larger in diameter than the inner cylinder 12 and is adapted to fit therearound by beingconcentrically mounted therewith. This outer cylinder 30 is also cut away for a part of its periphery so that when the cut-away portions of the cylinders 12 and 30 are aligned an opening is provided through which the cups may be conveniently with drawn from the holder. A coiled spring. 32 is mounted upon the plate or segment 28 and has one end fixed thereto by means of a pm 7 3 1-, the inner end of the coiled spring being attached to the pin or axle 20. Runways or guides 36 and 38 are provided for maintaining the rack 24; in position so as to have its teeth co-act at all times with the teeth of the gear wheel 22.

The top of the cylinder 12 is provided with a lid 4.0 of approximately semi-circular form fixed thereto in any suitable man ner such as by soldering, brazing or the like, and in the center of this lid is provided a hole through which a pin 12 projects and is rotatably mounted. The upper end of this pin is provided with a knurled knob or handle 44 and the pin and handle are attached to a corresponding s-eniicircular lid or cover 46 adapted to be fitted to the top of the outer cylinder 30. A washer 48 or the like is provided around the pin 42 and between the two semi-circular lids i0 and as so as to provide easy relative motion between the same.

The vertical edge of one side of the opening in the inner cylinder 12 is provided with a groove 50 preferably made integral with the material of the cylinder and in said groove is positioned a bumper 52 of rubber or other material against which the edge of the outer cylinder 30 is adapted to impinge, and which further provides an air and dusttight joint.

The operation is as follows:

The action of the coiled spring 32 tends to retain the corresponding cylinders 12 and 30 in such relative position that the container is closed under normal conditions, the cups 18 therein being maintained absolutely clean and free from dust or the like. henever it is desired to remove a cup the attendant or operator merely pushes the button or knob 26 upon the end of the rack 24C to slidethe same inwardly thereby operating the gear wheel 22 and its corresponding attached segment 28 to move the outer cylinder into the position shown in the dotted lines in Figure 3, when the container will be in open position as shown in Figure 2 and a cup or cups may be readily removed therefrom.

After such removal a release of the pressure upon the knob 26 permits the spring 82 to close the container by its reaction, any objectionable noise or slamming being prevented by the bumper 52 which also acts as a means for insuring close contact betweencorresponding edges of the two cylinders so that dust will be positively excluded from the interior of the container. Excess motion of the outer cylinder 30 around the inner cylinder 12 upon the pivot 42 is prevented by the contact of the segment 28 with the lower portion of the cylinder 12 when the device is fully opened. If desired, the knurled knob 44 may be used to open the container instead of the push button 26 and its action Will be practically the same, the

It will be seen that herein is provided a combined container and dispenser for sanitary soda cups or the like which 18 positive- .ly and automatically maintained in normal closed position at all times but which may be readily opened for the withdrawal of a cup. Furthermore, this device is neat and attractive and will add considerably to the appearance of a soda fountain or the like. It will be seen that it may be made in ornamental shape, if desired, and its compactness and readiness of operation enables it to be positioned within convenient reach of the attendants at a soda fountain, thereby adding greatly to its usefulness and increasing the desirability of the use of the sanitary cup adapted to be contained therein and the general e'tiiciency of the service.

I am aware that many changes may be made and various details of construction varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A container dispenser, comprising a base, a cylinder tired thereon and having a portion cut away to provide an opening through which objects may be removed and inserted, a closure for said opening comprising a cylinder having a portion cut away to correspond with the first cylinder and pivotally mounted to revolve about their common axis, a pivoted arm fixed to said closure cylinder to revolve the same, push mechanism for operating said arm and closure member to open position, and a spring for returning said parts automatically to closed position.

2. A. container dispenser, comprising a base. a cylinder fixed thereon and having a portion cut away to provide an opening through which objects may be removed and inserted, a closure for said opening comprising a cylinder having a portion cut away to correspond with the first cylinder and pivotally mounted to revolve about their common axis, a plate secured to said fixed cylinder, a frnstrum-shaped support on said plate for holding a plurality of nested containers in inverted upright position, a pin fixed centrally to said plate, an arm pivoted on said pin and secured to said closure member, push mechanism for operating said arm and closure member in one direction. and a spring for returning said parts automaticallv to closed position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

PETER T. POTTS.

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